Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

2018-03-28

The Alert Response Level under the Government's Preparedness Plan for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is activated

Travel Health Advice

The Department of Health advises travellers in the Middle East to avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry, and avoid unnecessary visit to healthcare facilities.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), formerly known as novel coronavirus (NCoV), is a coronavirus which has not been identified in humans before and is different from any coronaviruses (including SARS-coronavirus) that have been found in humans or animals.

The affected areas of MERS include the Arabian Peninsula and its neighboring countries (including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Palestine, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Yemen). So far, over 85% of the confirmed cases were reported by Middle East countries or exported to other countries directly from the Middle East. The remaining cases outside the Middle East acquired the infection through close contact with another confirmed patient (especially in healthcare institutions).

Important Notice: As the situation is dynamic and subject to new discoveries and changes, the Centre for Health Protection is liaising with the World Health Organization for updated information. The Centre will closely monitor the global situation, conduct epidemiological assessment, and update the information accordingly.